Manitobans show support for Syrian refugees at Winnipeg rally

The Syrian refugee crisis brought dozens of people to Winnipeg city hall on Sunday evening for one of numerous demonstrations held across Canada to show support for those trying to flee the war-torn country.

Those attending the rallies also calledon the Canadian government to do more to help refugeeswho want to come here.

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Among those who came to the demonstrationin Winnipeg was Lour Ali, who left Syria nine years ago and came to Canada as a refugee. His family is still in Syria, he said.

"I think the Canadian government, they can do a lot," he said, noting how Canada helped refugees fleeing Vietnam in the past.

"They can bring a lot of those people here," he said. "I like to bring all my family because they're not safe at all."

Ameen Al Jundi, who speaks for the Syrian Assembly of Manitoba, said his cousin was kidnapped and killed while trying to leave Syria for Lebanon.

Al Jundi said Canada needs to help refugees by reducing the amount of paperwork required to bring them to the country.

"Thousands cross the borders between Hungary to Austria to Germany within the last few days," he said.

"The Germans didn't even ask for a single document from any of these refugees they are going to process everything later. There is a chaos now."

Ali said he plans to hold his own rally outside the Manitoba legislature on Wednesday at 5 p.m. to show support for Syrian refugees.